Tire tool



July 12, 1932 G. w. GREBENSTEIN 1,867,404

TIRE TOOL Filed OCb. 18, 1929 n Lavelozf Geoye Wfz'ebenfeua gyttorln Patented .luly l2, i932 Uil TIRE TOOL Application led October 18,1929. Serial No. 400,506.

In the course of the development of rims for the mounting of tires for automobiles certain types of so-called split rims have become more or less standard so that garages 1 and service stations are called on to handle such rims frequently in mounting and demonnting tires.

T'.Vhile the rim type has become settled as a type, the latches have not and a separate tool to operate each special latch has been required. rhis has been a great inconvenience to garage and service men and in the confusion of a multiplicity of tools malte-shift instruments were used frequently simply bel cause no one tool would meet all requirements.

To the end of providing in a single tool means for performing various operations including the actuation of various styles of rim latches. my invention contemplates a tool i of lever type and useful for various uses as some variation in design is advantageous in i simplicity and general adaptability. ln the drawing z l is a side elevation of the tool mentioned.

Fig. 2 is a view at right angles.

Fig. 3 is an end view.

4 is a view of the tool in use on one type of link.

Fig. 5 similar view illustrating its use with another type, and

Fig. (i a view illustrating its use with still another link.

As shown in the drawing, the tool comprises an elongated handle or lever member l. This is preferably flattened out as at 2, thus forming a flat hand bearing and tire blade for freeine the bead of ashoe or like uses.

i-"it its opposite end the handle member l is turned in approximately a right angle 3 into a lateral arm 4 which is so constructed general y to produce a diagonal half twist as Vndicated 4. rl`he portion of this lateral arm joining the lever 1 is generally circular in cross section but the material` on the upper face thereof is cut away diagonally as shown in l and 3. Beyond this portion 4 is a flattened and widened portion 42 which provided with an aperture 5 which is preferably squared. or other annular opening. Beyond this opening the arm 4 terminates in a squared or angled point 6. The cut-away portion of 4 merges with one wall of the flattened portion 42 so that when the point 6 is inserted ina link on a rim the twist in the member 4"tends to provide clearance of the tire by the lever member l, and the enlarged portion constitutes alimiting stop to limit the'inserticn of the bill 6 into the aperture of the rim lock.

The arm 4 is sliohtly offset from the plane of the member l and the combination of the `relation of the angle of that offset, and the angle of the twist inthearm 4prov1de am'- ple clearance of the tire regardless of the operation or position of the tool.

Beyond this the arm "4 terminates in" a squared or angled point 6. Y c The lever l "ith its flattened end 2 is useiul in too many ways to permit of enumeration, but is generally adapted to all lever, pinch bar, wedging and like uses. t also constitutes a broad blade screw driver for which the elbow arm 4 constitutes a crank, the aper- 8o ture being useable for the insertion of a handle if desired. y l

The special uses,`liowever, relate to split rim operations in which an expanding and collapsing link is present. As shown in Fig. v4, the tool is shown with its terminal bill or beak 6 inserted in the tool aperture of a link L on a rim R. f

In Fig. 5 the aperture V5 is shown slipped over the ends of the link L1 to operate the 90 split rim R, while in Fig. 6 a device is shown with a different type linlr L2 similar to that ofFig.4.

The tool shown is extremely simple and inexpensive and has a very wide range of uses. Regardless of the type of latch with which the tool is used, its offset arm 4 ensures clearance of the tire which has been impossible .t in structures heretofore known.y

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tool for operating aA link connected split rim comprising a bar having a straight lever portion and a bent and twisted end eX- tension thereof, which has a socket transversely thereof, the axis of which socket is inclined relative to said lever portion so that when the socket is engaged with the link, the lever will be laterally spaced from the rim.

2. A tool for operating the link of a link connected split rim comprising a lever portion having a lateral end extension, saideX- tension being disposed at an obtuse angle to the lever portion whereby the latter is disposed outwardly of the plane of the rim when the lateral end extension is operatively engaged with the link, said lateral end extension having a link engaging formation disposed transversely thereof, the longitudinal axis of said formation being disposed transversely of said extension and at an `acute angle to a plane including the longitudinal axes of the lever and the lateral end extension whereby the lever is disposed within the circumferential limits of the rim'wheii the said link engaging formation is operatively engaged with the link.

3. A -tool for operating the link of a link connected split rim comprising a lever portion having a lateral end extension, said eX- tension being disposed at an obtuse angle to the lever portion whereby the latter is disposed outwardly of the plane of the rim when the lateral end extension is operatively en` gaged with the link, said lateral end eXtension having a link engaging socket disposed transversely thereof, the longitudinal axis of said socket being disposed transversely of said extension and at an acute angle to a plane including the longitudinal axes of the lever and the lateral end extension whereby the lever is disposed within the circumferential limits of the rim when the said link engaging socket is operatively engaged with the link.

4. A tool for operating the link of a link connected split rim comprising Aa lever portion having a lateral end extension provided with an enlargement, the enlargement having al socket formed therethrough to'receive a part ofthe linkto adapt'the tool for opening the link, and 'a terminal bill formed on said lateral end extension for engagement in an aperture of a link to adapt thev tool for open- A, ing'apertured links, the said enlargement constituting an abutment to limit insertion of the bill into a link aperture.

In testimony whereof l aix my signature.

GEORGE W. GREBEN STEIN. 

